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Yes, my choice too would be for Gray Jay -- or Raven -- before Red-tailed Hawk. The choice of a hawk species smacks too much of Canadians trying to imitate Americans with their "charismatic megafauna" Bald Eagle. As Ian said on the radio this morning, maybe the powers-that-be could be encouraged to officially re-recognize the term Canada Jay. (After all, guides still stick with American Robin, American Wigeon, American Bittern, American Pipit, American Dipper). As it is, the Gray Jay's Latin name is still Perisoreus canadensis. The variety of common names are another plus for the bird: Gray Jay, Canada Jay, Whiskey Jack, Gorbie, Moosebird, etc.
Brian
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Stern
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 11:02 AM
Subject: Re: [NatureNS] National bird of Canada
Hi,
The Red-tailed Hawk is not Canada's national bird yet! I heard Ian and James Cowan on the radio this morning, and I agree with Ian's comments about the Gray Jay. I also like the idea of the Common Raven, as I did many years ago when we debated NS's provincial bird. It's clever, hardy, doesn't mind cold weather or rugged terrain, adaptable, stays in Canada all year round, has lots of symbolism for native peoples, has great charisma, has a spectacular display and great flight powers, etc.
Richard
On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 9:12 AM, Don MacNeill <donmacneill@eastlink.ca> wrote:
The Red-tailed Hawk's voice is often used in movies whenever a Bald Eagle is shown. The Bald Eagle's twitterings are probably not considered to be majestic enough. It would be interesting that the Americans' national bird have the voice of the Canadian national bird.
Don
Don MacNeill
donmacneill@eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Elizabeth Doull
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 11:01 AM
Subject: [NatureNS] National bird of Canada
Red-tailed hawk soaring above competitors in search for Canada's national bird
PAT HEWITT, Metro News
May 06, 2010
TORONTO - Canada's quest for a national bird appears to be taking flight.
With a Maple Leaf adorning the flag, a beaver on the nickel and lacrosse and ice hockey as national sports, Canada seems well-endowed with national symbols.
But as the country's 143rd birthday nears, there is no national bird.
Hope may be on the horizon, however, as the Canadian Raptor Conservancy has collected a few thousand signatures on its online petition asking the government to take the bird issue in hand.
The survey asks Canadians to suggest a bird and explain why it's a good pick. Six weeks into its campaign, the conservancy has received about 20 suggestions, with the red-tailed hawk soaring high above the flock with 85 per cent of the vote so far.
Conservancy director James Cowan, who was in Toronto performing a birds of prey show for students on Thursday, said the Canada goose and the loon are tied for second place at about three or four per cent.
Ontario residents are flocking to the red-tailed hawk and the loon. Even Premier Dalton McGuinty has thrown his support behind the red-tailed hawk, perhaps swayed by a nesting pair at the legislature. Atlantic Canadians appear to favour the Canada goose.
Crows, ravens, Lincoln's sparrows and whiskey jacks all have some votes. But with 450 different types of birds spending at least a few months in the country each year, Canadians have plenty to choose from.
Cowan said provincial birds such as the loon, which is Ontario's bird, or the snowy owl, which is Quebec's shouldn't be chosen. The national bird of another country would also be ineligible. He'd prefer an endangered bird not be selected, in case it becomes extinct.
"It should be a bird that every Canadian I think sees in day-to-day life," said Cowan.
"Personally I feel it shouldn't have any natural enemies, because I really don't want my national bird being picked on by some other animal out there."
A handful of people questioned in downtown Toronto were surprised Canada has no winged ambassador, but all had their own suggestions.
"I like the robin redbreast. It's a plain one but it's red," said Melissa Ware, 26, a fitness instructor. "I agree with promoting the natural wildlife that we have here."
Legal assistant Eduarda Tavare, 44, likes the loon, eagle or hawk.
"The hawk would make more sense. I don't think anyone else has adopted the hawk and they actually live in the city," she said. "As long as it's not the pigeon, we're OK."
Legal assistant Julie Carter, 48, thinks it's high time Canada gets a national bird.
"I always thought the goose was our national bird but I guess I'm wrong. So I vote for the cardinal," said Carter.
Bird watching is the No. 1 hobby in the world and digital photography is helping boost its popularity, said Cowan.
The conservancy, which performs 1,600 shows across the country each year, discovered Canada doesn't have a national bird while researching its new show season and hatched a plan to get one.
Cowan said it would strengthen Canada's identity and could be used on currency.
"You can see where the bald eagle has shown up in the States, it's on their seal. When the president does his speech there's the bald eagle right behind him," he said.
The group will offer a paper petition at summer shows including at Toronto's CNE, Ottawa's SuperEx, Vancouver's Grouse Mountain and the Western Fair at London, Ont.
The group will take the petition to Parliament once it gets 200,000 signatures.
The bird that wins the most votes may not end up as the newest Canadian symbol unless politicians agree it is the best one to represent the country, cautioned Cowan.
The petition can be found online atwww.canadianraptorconservancy.com
--
#################
Richard Stern,
317 Middle Dyke Rd.
Port Williams, NS, Canada
B0P 1T0
sternrichard@gmail.com
###################
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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Yes, my choice too would be for Gray Jay -- or
Raven -- before Red-tailed Hawk. The choice of a hawk species smacks too
much of Canadians trying to imitate Americans with their "charismatic megafauna"
Bald Eagle. As Ian said on the radio this morning, maybe the powers-that-be
could be encouraged to officially re-recognize the term Canada Jay. (After all,